In response to questions previously raised by Board members, Staff Liaison Pina prepared a report on the mowing initiative for the medians and rights-of-ways along Blue Mound Road and Saginaw Boulevard. She introduced the item and explained that the Keep Saginaw Beautiful Board has long maintained a dedicated budget line to fund mowing services along these corridors. According to financial records, this program began in 2009 as an effort to enhance the appearance of these main gateways into the City.

Pina noted that both Saginaw Boulevard and Blue Mound Road fall under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Prior to 2009, TxDOT did not regularly maintain these areas, which often resulted in overgrown grass and unkempt appearances. To address this issue, the Board—working with the staff liaison at the time and with assistance from the Public Works Department—sought and obtained TxDOT authorization to contract for mowing services along these corridors. Because the roads are not within the City’s jurisdiction, formal permission from TxDOT was required before the program could begin. Liaison Pina emphasized that this initiative was established as part of a broader beautification effort to improve the City’s visual appeal and ensure that these high-visibility corridors reflected positively on the community.

She clarified that all other City roads, rights-of-way, parks, and facilities are maintained by City staff and funded through the City’s general budget—not through the Beautification Donation Fund. On average, the Beautification Board contributes approximately $3,826.66 per month for mowing of the TxDOT corridors, while the City spends about $24,094.06 per month to maintain all City-owned areas.

Staff liaison further noted that during the Special Called Meeting of June 9, 2025, the Keep Saginaw Beautiful Board approved a recommendation for the FY 2025–2026 Beautification Fund Budget, which was subsequently adopted by City Council. A total of $25,000 was allocated for mowing services. She explained that if the Board were to discontinue funding for these roads, mowing responsibility would revert to TxDOT, which typically mows only a few times per year. Alternatively, the City could assume responsibility for these areas, but that would require additional funding in the FY 2026–2027 budget cycle, as the FY 2025–2026 budget has already been approved with funds only sufficient to cover mowing for City-maintained areas. Pina added that any budget amendment would require City Council approval.

Staff Liaison Pina concluded by explaining that if the Board wished to modify or discontinue the initiative, they would need to identify alternative programs or projects in which to allocate the $25,000 currently designated for mowing and formally recommend those changes for Council approval. She advised that the Board wait until the next fiscal year to make any final decisions, allowing adequate time to discuss and develop an alternative project if desired. 

Vice Chair Gorton stated that she had initially considered redirecting the mowing funds toward other beautification initiatives but, after reviewing the historical context provided by staff, expressed support for continuing the program. She noted that residents are often unaware of overlapping jurisdictional responsibilities and may mistakenly attribute unmaintained areas to the City. Board members agreed that continuing the mowing program would be the best course of action at this time, as no alternative projects currently present a better use of the allocated funds.

Board members expressed interest in continuing the Holiday Decoration Contest, noting that October through December is when residents most actively decorate their yards. Members agreed that eliminating the final two months of the contest would be a missed opportunity to expand community engagement and participation. Vice Chair Gorton added that it would be best to maintain April as the starting month for the contest, as cold weather in the early months of the year makes yard maintenance difficult and could result in fewer entries.

After discussion, a motion was made by Member No. 4, Thompson, with a second by Member No. 2, Macy, to combine November and December into a single Holiday Decoration Contest while maintaining April as the starting month for the Yard of the Month program. Motion carried unanimously. 

At the Board’s request, Staff Liaison Luisa Pina prepared a report on the Adopt-A-Spot program and current available locations. She introduced the item by briefing new members on the program’s eligible spots and adoption criteria.

Liaison Pina provided a detailed report of the spots currently available for adoption, which include:

• Flower bed at the front of the Recreation Center

• “Welcome to Saginaw” sign on the right side of South Saginaw Blvd

She noted that the two entryway sign locations at Opal Jennings and Brian Schwengler Memorial Parks will be re-opened and added to the list of available spots once park improvements are complete. Additionally, she informed the Board that staff is reviewing the costs to repair the current entryway sign and planter box at William Houston Park, as well as to install an irrigation system in the flower beds at the gazebo in South Willow Creek Park, so that these areas can be added to the list of adoptable spots once completed. 

Pina concluded her report by noting that four applications had been in the weeks prior to the meeting. One applicant adopted the Marquee Sign located on the side of Saginaw Blvd (distinct from the Welcome sign). Staff is awaiting responses from the remaining applicants, who had initially requested to adopt a park. Based on current program guidelines, parks are not eligible locations. Pina clarified that the available spots have been offered to these applicants, and staff is awaiting confirmation to move forward with the adoptions.

As requested by the Board at the previous meeting, Staff Liaison Luisa Piña introduced the item and informed the Board that members would need to coordinate and confirm their interest in hosting an information booth alongside the Board-sponsored photo booth at the 2025 Train and Grain Festival. She noted that, to avoid quorum, only two members could be present at one time. She also clarified that if no members were available to attend or assist in preparing the information table, arrangements could be made to display a sign or flyers next to the sponsored photo booth.

Member Macy and Vice Chair Gorton stated that they would both be available to staff the table for approximately three hours. Vice Chair Gorton noted that no final arrangements could be confirmed due to low meeting attendance and requested that the staff liaison send an email during the week to confirm availability from absent members and provide an update once responses were received.